tis my blog! - diony

One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school.  His name was Kyle.  It looked like he was carrying all of his books.  I thought to myself, ‘Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday?  He must really be a nerd.’  I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friend tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on.

As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running towards him.  They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him.  He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes.  My heart went out to him.  So, I jogged over to him and as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye.  As I handed him his glasses, I said, ‘Those guys are jerks. They really should get lives.’  He looked at me and said, ‘Hey thanks!’  There was a big smile on his face.  It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude.  I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived.  As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before.  He said he had gone to private school before now.  I would have never hung out with a private school kid before.  We talked all the way home, and I carried his books.  He turned out to be a pretty cool kid.  I asked him if he wanted to play football on Saturday with me and my friends.  He said yes.  We hung all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him.  And my friends thought the same of him.  Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again.  I stopped him and said,  ‘Damn boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!’  He just laughed and handed me half the books.

Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends.  When we were seniors, we began to think about college.  Kyle decided on

Georgetown

, and I was going to Duke.  I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem.  He was going to be a doctor, and I was going for business on a football scholarship.  Kyle was valedictorian of our class . I teased him all the time about being a nerd.  He had to prepare a speech for graduation.  I was so glad it wasn’t me having to get up there and speak.  Graduation day, I saw Kyle.  He looked great.  He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school.  He filled out and actually looked good in glasses.  He had more dates than me and all the girls loved him!  Boy, sometimes I was jealous.  Today was one of those days.  I could see that he was nervous about his speech.  So, I smacked him on the back and said, ‘Hey, big guy, you’ll be great!’  He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled.  ‘Thanks,’ he said.

As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began.  ‘Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years.  Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach… but mostly your friends.  I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them.  I am going to tell you a story.’  I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met.  He had planned to kill himself over the weekend.  He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn’t have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home.  He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile.  ‘Thankfully, I was saved.  My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable.’  I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment.  I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile. Not until that moment did I realise it’s depth.

Never underestimate the power of your actions.  With one small gesture you can change a person’s life.  For better or for worse.

" Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly "

the life of Pope Benedict XVI

A chronology of events in the life of Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI.

April 16, 1927: Born in Marktl am Inn in Germany’s southern region of Bavaria near the Austrian border on the day before Easter. Baptised the same day.

1929: Family moves to town of Tittmoning.

December, 1932: Family moves to Traunstein after father came into conflict with local Nazi Party supporters in Tittmoning.

1941: Enrolled against will in Hitler Youth. Let go shortly after because of his intention to study for the priesthood.

1943: Drafted as helper for anti-aircraft unit, serves in battery defending BMW plant.

September 10, 1944: Let go from flak service. Returns home to find draft notice for forced labour.

September 20, 1944: Leaves home to dig anti-tank trenches.

November, 20, 1944: Released from labour force, returns home. Gets army draft notice three weeks later.

April-May, 1945: Deserts army, returns home. Captured by Americans as war ends.

June 19, 1945: Released from US POW camp, catches ride home on milk truck.

November, 1945: Begins study for priesthood in Friesing.

June 29, 1951: Ordained a priest along with his brother Georg.

1953: Receives doctorate in theology, University of Munich.

1959: Begins teaching theology in Bonn, first of several appointments in German universities.

1969: Leaves University of Tuebingen, leery of student unrest in which his lectures were interrupted by sit-ins. Takes teaching job in Regensburg in native Bavaria, near his brother.

March, 1977: Named archbishop of Munich.

June, 1977: Elevated to rank of cardinal by Pope Paul VI.

November, 1981: Summoned to Rome as head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

April 19, 2005: Elected Pope Benedict XVI.

to all of you guys out there… welcome! if you have some comments about the blogs i jst posted, feel free to let me know by simply writing down your comments. i will respect whatever your opinions are! take care and hope to hear from you soon!

God bless!